was
progressive in carrying out market reforms such as an improved
regulatory system and land reform. Kyrgyzstan was the first
Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) country to be accepted into
the World Trade Organization. Much of the government's stock in
enterprises has been sold. Drops in production had been severe after
the breakup of the Soviet Union in December 1991, but by mid-1995,
production began to recover and exports began to increase. The
economy is heavily weighted toward gold export and a drop in output
at the main Kumtor gold mine sparked a 0.5% decline in GDP in 2002
and a 0.6% decline in 2005. GDP grew more than 6% in 2007, partly
due to higher gold prices internationally. The government made
steady strides in controlling its substantial fiscal deficit, nearly
closing the gap between revenues and expenditures in 2006, before
boosting expenditures more than 20% in 2007. The government and
international financial institutions have been engaged in a
comprehensive medium-term poverty reduction and economic growth
strategy. In 2005, Bishkek agreed to pursue much-needed tax reform
and, in 2006, became eligible for the heavily indebted poor
countries (HIPC) initiative. Progress fighting corruption, further
restructuring of domestic industry, and success in attracting
foreign investment are keys to future growth.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$10.55 billion (2007 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate):

$3.748 billion (2007 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

8.2% (2007 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP):

$2,000 (2007 est.)

GDP - composition by sector:

agriculture: 33.6%
industry: 18.9%
services: 47.5% (2007 est.)

Labor force:

2.7 million (2000)

Labor force - by occupation:

agriculture: 55%
industry: 15%
services: 30% (2000 est.)

Unemployment rate:

18% (2004 est.)

Population below poverty line:

40% (2004 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share:

lowest 10%: 3.8%
highest 10%: 24.3% (2003)

Distribution of family income - Gini index:

30.3 (2003)

Investment (gross fixed):

25.6% of GDP (2007 est.)

Budget:

revenues: $964.6 million
expenditures: $961.1 million (2007 est.)

Fiscal year:

calendar year

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

10.2% (2007 est.)

Commercial bank prime lending rate:

25.32% (31 December 2007)

Stock of money:

$911.1 million (31 December 2007)

Stock of quasi money: